Context

Washington is putting enormous pressure on the European countries to prevent their rapprochement with Russia. It forced some EU states to impose economic sanctions on Moscow because of the Ukrainian conflict and the Crimea's accession to Russia. But Europeans have refused to imply a new package of sanctions, because of huge losses, an increased tension and a tidal wave Europe is suffering now.

European countries don't trust Washington, especially the most influential states in the region such as France, Germany, Italy, and others. This is evident from the fact thatthey have refused to increase economic pressure on Russia. Moreover, they are tending to the need of lifting of the sanctions as soon as possible. The relationship with the main Western powers forced Washington to take a closer look at some smaller European countries. Specifically Eastern European countries from the former socialist camp — Poland, Bulgaria, Albania, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. But the US faced some difficulties even there.

People of these countries were dreaming of prosperity and freedom in the bosom of European Union, but they didn't find what they anticipated. On the contrary, their economic and social situation has worsened. They haven't gained support neither from Washington nor from the West. The sanctions against Russia were gradually deteriorating the economic situation of these countries after Moscow applied contrary sanctions and closed its market to the European goods.

Washington failed to persuade Eastern Europe to cooperate, even using the scare tactic – imposing a threat that Russia is going to occupy their territory. Europeans are not so naive to believe in such a scenario. However, the governments of these countries tend to favor the US — opening its borders to NATO troops and US missile defense system directed against Russia. Moscow had no choice but to direct its strategic forces against Europe in return. Such confrontation has resulted in a great tension in the Old World countries, which are pressured to follow the US's schemes in the isolation of Russia.